"Selections from fifteen years of Leather Life columns and other writings originally published in Lavender magazine and elsewhere, newly revised and annotated"--Cover.

In celebration of the more than a decade of success of The Complete leatherboy Handbook, Vince Andrews has focused his experience and insight on a new handbook. Now he takes on the challenge of introducing the reader to the greater world of Leather sexuality: gay and straight, male and female, D/s and S/M and Kink. Andrews explores the differences that make the greater Leather community so diverse and colorful, as well as the commonalities that have brought these groups together.With the same experience-based clarity and objective perspective he has brought to his previous work, Andrews explores the histories of the various groups that form Leather culture, and how those groups have intersected throughout the 20th century - and how they are growing into the 21st century. This book gives the reader historical background and a clear understanding of what makes up modern Leather culture: thought, art, ritual, fashion, public figures, legislation, and literature.The Leather & BDSM Handbook is designed to provide a foundational understanding of the Leather culture to help not only newcomers to the scene, but also experienced Leatherfolk who are adjusting to the Leather community's growth and development in new directions. Andrews's work gives you the depth of understanding of the Leather world and its history to enable you to be comfortable communicating your own thoughts and views to others within the culture. Essentially, it provides the tools, insight, and understanding you will need to succeed in the world of Leather.

Sadomasochism and the BDSM Community in the United States: Kinky People Unite chronicles the development of sadomasochistic sexuality and its communities in the United States from the post-war period to the present day. Having evolved from scattered networks of sadomasochists to a coherent body bound by shared principles of "safe, sane, consensual," activists worked to transform popular perceptions of their community, end its routine harassment by law enforcement and win inclusion in American society. Often paralleling the work of LGBTQ activists, people who engaged in BDSM (Bondage and Discipline, Dominance and Submission, and Sadism and Masochism) transformed both their own sexual practices and how outsiders perceived them, successfully changing popular perceptions of them from fascists, murderers, and outlaws to people living an alternative lifestyle. The development of this community highlights the interactions of people of different sexual orientations within a sexual community, the influence of various campaigns for sexual freedom, and the BDSM community's influence on popular perceptions of sexuality and sexual freedom. The text’s historical perspective gives depth and texture to a specific dimension of American history of sexuality. This book will be of interest to students and scholars in the history of sexuality. Its clear and direct approach offers an important and useful chronology of a movement that has long been neglected.

Since its publication a decade ago, this Lambda Literary Award-nominated book has become a classic, must-read book on human sexuality and identity. Widely cited as being among the most useful books of its kind, this co-gender anthology is both historical witness to and provocative treatise on this unique and often misunderstood subculture. The diverse contributors look at the history of the gay and lesbian underground, how radical sex practice relates to their spirituality, and what S/M means to them personally.

Looking through the lens of black business history, Beauty Shop Politics shows how black beauticians in the Jim Crow era parlayed their economic independence and access to a public community space into platforms for activism. Tiffany M. Gill argues that the beauty industry played a crucial role in the creation of the modern black female identity and that the seemingly frivolous space of a beauty salon actually has stimulated social, political, and economic change. From the founding of the National Negro Business League in 1900 and onward, African Americans have embraced the entrepreneurial spirit by starting their own businesses, but black women's forays into the business world were overshadowed by those of black men. With a broad scope that encompasses the role of gossip in salons, ethnic beauty products, and the social meanings of African American hair textures, Gill shows how African American beauty entrepreneurs built and sustained a vibrant culture of activism in beauty salons and schools. Enhanced by lucid portrayals of black beauticians and drawing on archival research and oral histories, Beauty Shop Politics conveys the everyday operations and rich culture of black beauty salons as well as their role in building community.

The idea of humans taking on the persona of animals for rituals and for pleasure dates back thousands of years. There are many subcultures in the world today that have been enjoying taking on the persona of human pets for decades in this country, just behind the scenes of what society accepts. In the past 10-15 years, there has been a human-puppy revolution happening. While it was first overtly noticeable in the deeply sexual, gay leather community, people from every walk of life are deriving pleasure from letting go of the cares of this world and taking on the care-free persona of an animal. Within the past several years, the concept has even made its way into prime-time TV, although generally with a negative connotation. This book takes an in-depth look at the human puppy movement over the past decade. After a cursory look at history, the author defines the movement as it is happening today, and offers observations and advice to those who are learning what human pup play is all about. Included in the discussed topics are pup roles, mosh etiquette, leather relationships, and puppy competitions. A unique characteristic of this book is that the author also takes time to delve into the art of handling the human pet; giving advice and tips for those who are not human pets, but love them. A lengthy section is devoted to the role of the Trainer/Handler and how they relate to the puppies in social settings, group interactions, and training situations.

A worldwide subculture that influences everything from fashion to advertising, sadomasochism has a long and lively history. A Lover’s Pinch tells the story of consensual sadomasochism, from a controversial religious practice to a secretive sexuality branded a perversion. The origins of kink and fetish culture have been shrouded in secrecy and myths, until now. Here, Peter Tupper reveals the true story of sadism and masochism, dominance and submission. From the ancient Christian flagellants to the Fifty Shades trilogy, the history of consensual sadomasochism is a story of fascinating individuals, unlikely connections and strange twists and turns. Meet Arthur Munby, the Victorian gentleman who secretly married Hannah Cullwick, his maid of all work, and called her his slave; and Jack McGeorge, the UN weapons inspector who was outed as a BDSM club leader just before the Iraq war. Explore the links between Robinson Crusoe,Uncle Tom's Cabin and modern BDSM pornography, and between fetish fashion and anti-Catholic propaganda. Learn how the 19th century middle-class household nurtured dominant-submissive sexuality. Discover the secret history of a hidden world. Winner, 2019 Geoff Mains Non-Fiction Book Award, NLA-International